cultural resources assessment for the resort at los coyotes project, 21.80 acres located within the

79 Pages·2013·6.5 MB·English

CULTURAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT FOR THE RESORT AT LOS COYOTES
PROJECT, 21.80 ACRES LOCATED WITHIN THE LOS COYOTES COUNTRY CLUB,
CITY OF BUENA PARK, ORANGE COUNTY
by:
Robert S. White
Laura S. White, M.A.
Archaeological Associates
P.O. Box 180
Sun City, CA 92586
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Prepared for:
Phil Martin & Associates, Inc.
3002 Dow Avenue, Suite 122
Tustin, CA 92780
[phone]
Sections 24 & 25, Township 3 South, Range 11West, SBBM
Portions of APNs 280-201-04 and 280-201-14
September 1, 2013
KEYWORDS: Survey, Primary #s 30-177496 & 177497, Los Coyotes Country Club,
Buena Park, Orange County
The undersigned certifies that the attached report is a true and accurate description of the results
of a CULTURAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT described herein.
.............................…
Laura S. White, M.A.
Principal Investigator
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Management Summary . . . . . . . . iii
I. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . 1
II. SETTING . . . . . . . . . . 2
III. CULTURAL RESOURCES RECORDS SEARCH . . . . 8
IV. HISTORIC MAP AND AERIAL PHOTO RESEARCH. . . . 11
V. FIELD SURVEY . . . . . . . . . 13
VI. NATIVE AMERICAN SCOPING . . . . . . 13
VII. REPORT OF FINDINGS . . . . . . . 14
VIII. CRITERIA FOR DETERMINATIONS OF ELIGIBILITY . . . 17
IX. DETERMINATIONS OF ELIGIBILITY . . . . . 19
X. DISCUSSION AND MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS . . . 21
REFERENCES CITED . . . . . . . 23
APPENDIX A: Personnel Qualifications
APPENDIX B: Records Search Results
APPENDIX C: NAHC Sacred Lands File Check
APPENDIX D: Native American Correspondence
APPENDIX E: Site Record Forms for Primary #s 30-177496 and 30-177497
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LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 1. Regional location of the project area as indicated . . . 3
on a portion of the Santa Ana USGS 1:100,000 scale
topographic map sheet (1983).
Figure 2. Study area as shown on a portion of the . . . . . 4
La Habra 7.5’ USGS Topographic Quadrangle
(1978, photorevised 1981).
Figure 3. Study area as shown on aerial photograph . . . . 6
Figure 4. Study area as shown on development zone map . . . . 20
LIST OF PLATES
Page
Plate I. Top: Westerly view across west tip of Zone A. . . . . 25
Bottom: Northeasterly view through large tennis courts
slated for demolition in Zone A.
Plate II. Top: Westerly view across western tip of Zone B . . . . 26
toward entrance. Bottom: North view toward clubhouse
from southerly end of Zone D.
Plate III. Top: Northwesterly view of the recreational wing. . . . 27
of the Recreational/Administrative building. Bottom:
Northwesterly view of administrative wing of the Recreational/
Administrative building.
Plate IV. Top: East facing view of Daughters of the American. . . . 28
Revolution plaque and boulder in Zone B. Bottom: Close-up
of DAR plaque commemorating Los Coyotes House and General
Stockton Camp.
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MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
At the request of Phil Martin & Associates, Inc. (PMA), Archaeological Associates (AA)
has undertaken a Cultural Resources Assessment of a portion of the Los Coyotes Country Club
in conjunction with The Resort at Los Coyotes Project. The proposed development comprises a
21.80-acre portion of the 208-acre country club located at 8888 Los Coyotes Drive, City of
Buena Park, County of Orange.
As presently configured, the study area comprises four, phased construction improvement
zones (Zones A through D). These include 200 units of new residential development, road
widening and re-landscaping, a new 250-room resort and hospitality building and new “Practice
Area Enhancements” which will include a split-level driving range. The undertaking will
necessitate the demolition of the existing Recreational/Administration building, tennis courts and
old pool area in conjunction with earthmoving in several areas of the country club.
The purpose of this study was to identify all potentially significant cultural resources
situated within the boundaries of the study area. This information is needed since adoption of the
proposed development plan could result in adverse effects upon locations of archaeological or
historical importance. All field notes, background research and photographs are in the
possession of Archaeological Associates.
The results of the records search conducted at the South Central Coastal Information
Center (SCCIC) at California State University, Fullerton failed to identify any prehistoric
resources within the boundaries of the study area. The results of the field study were also
negative as no prehistoric resources of any kind were identified. Consequently, due to the highly
disturbed nature of the study area, no additional work in conjunction with prehistoric resources is
recommended including monitoring of any future earth-disturbing activities.
Two historic resources were identified as a result of the investigation. The first
comprises the Recreational/Administration building. Evaluation of the circa 1955 building for
historic/architectural significance concluded that it does not appear eligible for the NRHP or the
CRHR. Furthermore, a CRHR status code of 6Z “Found ineligible for NR, CR or Local
designation through survey evaluation” has been assigned to the building. As a matter of course,
the building was duly recorded with the SCCIC at Fullerton and assigned Primary # 30-177496.
No additional work in conjunction with this historic resource is recommended.
iii
The second historic resource identified during the course of the investigation has been
identified as a Rock Monument located just northeast of the Los Coyotes Country Club entry
kiosk. Attached to the face of the granitic boulder is a commemorative bronze plaque erected by
the Mojave Charter D.A.R. Fullerton, Cal. on Feb 22, 1931. According to Mr. Rick McAuley of
McAuley LCX Corporation, the granite boulder monument was originally located approximately
1/2-mile to the southwest near the corner of Malvern Avenue and Lockhaven Drive in Buena
Park.
Sometime in the late 1950s, the boulder monument was moved from the Malvern Avenue
and Lockhaven Drive site and relocated onto the Los Coyotes Country Club property. This was
done to make way for Ray Watt’s New Bellehurst Development in Buena Park. To our
knowledge, this monument has remained on the Los Coyotes Country Club property for over 55
years.
It is believed that the existing rock monument (Primary # 30-177497) lies within Zone B.
According to the CEQA Checklist for “The Resort at Los Coyotes,” the project proposes to
retain and not disturb the monument. It will remain in its existing place within the project (PMA
2013). If for whatever reason it becomes desirable to relocate the rock monument from its
present location, it is recommended that it be done so in consultation with and under the
supervision of a professional archaeologist or historian.
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I. INTRODUCTION
The following report was written for Phil Martin & Associates, Inc. (PMA) by
Archaeological Associates (AA). It describes the results of a Cultural Resources Assessment for
The Resort at Los Coyotes Project. The project comprises a 21.80-acre portion of the 208-acre
Los Coyotes Country Club located at 8888 Los Coyotes Drive, City of Buena Park, Orange
County.
The existing country club comprises a 27-hole championship golf course that was
originally designed by William Bell, Jr. in 1957 and partially re-designed by Ted Robinson in
1998. In addition, the country club offers a practice facility with driving range, bunker and
chipping area. Other amenities include a modern clubhouse (for dining, hospitality and
socializing), tennis courts, and fitness center (Los Coyotes Country Club 2013).
The 21.80-acre study area comprises portions of two parcels (APNs 280-201-04 and 280-
201-14) which are being considered for future development. They include four, phased
construction improvement zones (Zones A through D). The northernmost development area
(Zone A) is oriented east-west and comprises 7.9 acres that is designated “Residential.”
Presently, project proponents desire to construct 200 private residences in this area which will
require the demolition of the country club’s mid 1950s recreational (tennis office, showers,
locker rooms, snack bar) and joined facilities management office buildings, and former
swimming pool area which is currently vacant. The project will also result in the removal of the
lower parking lot located adjacent to the vacant buildings, all six of the existing tennis courts,
and a westerly portion of the existing golf course.
Zone B includes 1.2 acres designated “Landscape Amenity.” This area parallels the north
side of the existing entrance road to the Los Coyotes Country Club. Proposed improvements
may include privatizing of the entrance, road widening, and re-landscaping.
Zone C is located to the east of Zone B and includes the 6.8-acre “Resort/Hospitality”
area. The proposed 250-room resort and hospitality building will include structured parking, a
5,000 square foot restaurant and 6,000 square feet of health spa. The project also includes the
proposed construction of 10,000 square feet of new space atop the existing clubhouse consisting
of 5, 000 square feet of gathering/event space, 1,000 square feet of private meeting space and
4,000 square feet of country club management office space (PMA 2013). This construction zone
is presently occupied by the core of the country club facility.
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Zone D comprises the 5.9 acre “Practice Area Enhancements.” This area lies along the
eastern margin of the existing practice area. Plans for Zone D include a split-level driving range.
Minor surface grading to level and flatten this section of practice area will also be undertaken.
Left over dirt from the location will also be used as fill for the residential development in Zone
A.
The purpose of this assessment was to identify all potentially significant cultural
resources situated within the study area. This information is needed since adoption of the
proposed development plan could result in adverse effects upon locations of archaeological or
historical importance. Our assessment consisted of: (1) a records search conducted to determine
whether any previously recorded historic or prehistoric material is present on the property, (2)
literature review, (3) Native American Scoping, and (4) a field reconnaissance intended to
identify any previously unrecorded cultural resources within the boundaries of the study area.
The cultural resources records search for the project was performed by Ms. Laura S.
White, M.A., Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA, # 10452). The intensive survey of
the property was conducted by Laura S. White (Principal Investigator and County approved
archaeologist) and Robert S. White (Director and County approved archaeologist, see Appendix
A). The circa 1955 Recreational/Administrative building was evaluated for
historical/architectural significance by Dr. David Van Horn, Ph.D. (Architectural Historian) for
the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and the California Register of Historical
Resources (CRHR). The study was conducted in accordance with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), as amended in 1992, which includes criteria for eligibility to the California
Register of Historical Resources (CRHR).
II. SETTING
A. Study Area Location
Regionally, the project area is located south of the West Coyote Hills and Rosecrans
Avenue, and east of Beach Boulevard (Route 39) in the City of Buena Park (fig. 1). More
specifically, the study area is irregular in shape and bounded on the north by portions of the Los
Coyotes Country Club and the Ralph B. Clark Regional Park. The eastern boundary abuts
residential development in the City of Fullerton, and on the west by single-family homes
2
Figure 1. Regional location of the project area as indicated on a portion of the Santa Ana USGS 1:100,000
scale topographic map sheet (1983).
3
and condominiums within the City of Buena Park. Legally, the study area lies within the South
1/2 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 24 and the North 1/2 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 25,
Township 3 South, Range 11 West, San Bernardino Base Meridian as shown on a portion of the
La Habra 7.5’ USGS Topographic Quadrangle (fig. 2).
Topographically, the study area comprises gently rolling terrain that drains to the
southwest (fig. 3). Most of, if not all of, the project area has been re-contoured during
construction of the existing golf course and associated facilities. Elevations range from a
maximum of approximately 240 feet above mean sea level at the northernmost tip of the project
to a minimum of 180 feet in the far westerly tip of the property.
On-site vegetation comprises an extensive cover of golf course turf, introduced trees and
landscape shrubbery. Fauna encountered included several Red-tailed hawks. Soils comprise
sandy loam overlying clay. No bedrock exposures or sources of natural surface water were
observed anywhere within the boundaries of the study area. Disturbance on the property is
extensive due to the initial construction and continued maintenance of the golf course and
associated facilities.
B. Brief Culture History of the Gabrielino
When Juan Cabrillo sailed the coast of California in 1542, Los Angeles and most of
Orange County were inhabited by prehistoric people who occupied scattered villages. Although
these people had no political institutions beyond the village level, they spoke a common dialect,
and when the Mission San Gabriel was established, came to be known to the Spanish as
“Gabrielino.”
Linguistic and archaeological evidence strongly suggest that the Gabrielino represented a
branch of desert dwellers, or Shoshoneans, who moved to coastal southern California during the
first millennium A.D. At that time, they supplanted or absorbed an earlier group about which
relatively little is known.
The Gabrielino were a stone-age people whose subsistence was based upon hunting and
gathering. They did not know metallurgy nor did they practice agriculture. Yet, the population
was relatively small, few villages comprising more than 100 souls, and agriculture was
unnecessary. The staple food was acorns which normally grew in such abundance that there
were more than enough to go around. The acorn meats were leached, dried, and ground into
4
Figure 2. Study area as shown on a portion of the La Habra 7.5’ USGS Topographic Quadrangle (1978,
photorevised 1981).
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